Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 1015 - 1013_1

Chapter 1015: Chapter 1013_1

The recent days have been comfortable and peaceful, much to Xiao’er’s unease, for she always felt a sense of repression before a storm.

Ever since the Mad Dog incident, there’s been no further movement from those hidden in the shadows. Xiao’er would rather face the unknown danger head-on, instead of waiting for it to strike when she least expected it.

She preferred making the first move over playing the waiting game!

At night, as they were dining together, Xiao’er told Shangguan Xuanyi, "Brother Shangguan, I plan on watching the dragon boat race tomorrow."

"Alright, I’ll accompany you," replied Shangguan Xuanyi, dipping his chopsticks into a dish and adding the portion to Xiao’er’s bowl.

"I want to go by myself." Xiao’er revealed her true intention.

Upon hearing this, Shangguan Xuanyi obviously disagreed, "No, I’ll go with you."

"But I think if you’re by my side, that person might not make a move!" Not everyone’s a fool. Why would one strike when the odds aren’t in their favor?

"I’ll accompany you there, then find an opportunity to leave discreetly to keep watch from afar." Knowing the dragon boat race along the Huai River was bound to attract huge crowds and unexpected events could easily occur, Shangguan Xuanyi would naturally never allow Xiao’er to take any chances.

Having considered, Xiao’er nodded in agreement.

On the Dragon Boat Festival, Shangguan Xuanyi took Xiao’er to watch the dragon boat race, accompanied by Brother Ri, Yun’er, Jinghao, Liu Zhiwen, Liu Zhiwu, and others.

Of the participants in this year’s dragon boat race, Xiao’er was only familiar with Zhao Youhe. Both Shangguan Xuanhao and Shangguan Xuanjun partook in the competition, the rest were acquaintances without much interaction.

Neither the Empress Dowager nor the Emperor and Empress attended the competition this time.

As always, the banks of the Huai River were swarming with people.

They stood in the middle of the bridge, with Shangguan Xuanyi standing half a step behind Xiao’er, holding an umbrella over her. Xiao’er leaned against the guardrail, watching the dragon boats racing towards the finish line under the relentless paddling of their crew.

Amid cheers and shouts of encouragement from both banks, Xiao’er couldn’t help but sigh, "Watching others compete isn’t as thrilling as participating yourself!" Having competed herself, she knew the joy of the experience. Merely spectating from the bridge, she felt, lacked fervor.

However, it seemed everyone else didn’t share her sentiment, all engrossed in the competition.

"Indeed!" Shangguan Wanru stood next to Xiao’er, reminiscing the time when they had participated in the dragon boat race—an age of youthful vigor, free of worries. It was truly a golden time!

"The most exciting dragon boat race I watched was the year my sister participated!" Xi’er echoed Xiao’er’s sentiment.

"You were very young then, do you remember it?" Brother Ri asked, amused by Xi’er’s mature statement.

"Of course, my memory is excellent. I remember that time when my sister and the others had won ..." To prove her good memory, Xi’er recounted the eventful competition.

Soon, everyone joined in the discussion of past races.

...

"Actually, we can allow women to participate in next year’s dragon boat race, women to race with women and men with men. Wouldn’t that make it more exciting?" Fu Ranhui suggested.

"That’s a good idea, perhaps we can organize it." Xiao’er seconded.

The race was soon over with Shangguan Xuanjun’s team taking first place.

Next up was the dragon boat race organized by the Bai’s.

The spectators on both banks cheered enthusiastically for their acquaintances.

As the sun grew stronger, Xiao’er glanced at the crowd on the bridge. There were plenty of guards around. How could anyone make a move against her?

She decided not to stick around and told Yun’er and others, "The sun’s too strong, I’m heading back early. You all enjoy the race!"

The others were keen to continue watching, so they nodded their assents.

Since Shangguan Wanru didn’t feel like watching anymore and saw Xiao’er leaving, she said, "I’m leaving as well, Zhuan’er is still at home. I worry he might cry if I’m gone for too long."

Xiao’er nodded and the three of them walked off the bridge, making their way towards the parked carriages through a path opened by the guards.

By the carriages, Zhao Yong came up to them and told Shangguan Xuanyi, "Master, the Emperor has summoned you to the palace."

Shangguan xuanyi, after hearing this, asked Xiao’er, "Girl, would you like to accompany me to the palace?"

"Not now, I have something else to attend to. I’ll go in the afternoon." Xiao’er shook her head.

"Alright then, try to be early. You need to dine with father and mother in the palace tonight." He reminded Xiao’er to be careful before leaving on horseback.

After Shangguan Xuanyi had left, Shangguan Wanru said, "Xiao’er, let us share a carriage, we can chat along the way."

Xiao’er was out on a mission. If Shangguan Wanru was beside her and something unexpected happened, it wouldn’t be good if she got hurt. Naturally, Xiao’er could not agree.

But she wondered if Shangguan Wanru wanted to talk about something important, "Does the princess have something to discuss with me?"

Shangguan Wanru felt her heart skip a beat at Xiao’er’s words. Why would Xiao’er ask such a question? Could it be she was already aware? But no, it was impossible. Without the pamphlet, nobody could understand the secret language in the flute’s melody, and that person surely wouldn’t let Xiao’er know. Xiao’er was probably just concerned about her, perhaps she needed help with something.

Relieved, Shangguan Wanru calmed down. But why did she feel somewhat guilty, even though she hadn’t agreed to that person’s request for Xiao’er’s blood?

Regaining her composure, she shook her head, "Not really, I just find it boring to ride in the carriage alone. It would be nice to have some company for the return journey."

Hearing this, Xiao’er said, "But I have to visit my fourth aunt’s shop to discuss some business matters. I’m not heading back to the residence. We’re not heading in the same direction."

Knowing that Xiao’er’s fourth uncle owned a restaurant by the Huai River, where they had dined before, Shangguan Wanru wanted to inquire about the delicacies in the restaurant, so she suggested, "How about I accompany you to see Aunt Shen? It’s been a few years since I last saw her."

Xiao’er was taken aback by her words. She felt frustrated because she had used her trip to the restaurant as an excuse to go alone and draw out the enemy. If Shangguan Wanru was by her side, it would only complicate things.

So she added, "Didn’t you worry about Zhuan’er crying if you were away for too long? Excessive crying isn’t good for a child’s health. Why don’t you bring Zhuan’er along when you visit my fourth aunt another day?"

"It’s alright. Crying once in a while is good for exercising his lung capacity, isn’t it?"

"...." Xiao’er felt like she was hoisted by her own petard!

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